Play Matters:
The Accelerator Campaign for Urban Initiatives
Why Do This
We need your help to meet the demands of the moment and Chicago’s future. When you give, you drive positive change.
For youth, play is serious. When we reflect on our childhood memories of play, or when we watch young people in our lives play today, what we remember and see is social-emotional learning (SEL) in action.
But sport and play are becoming the privilege of the wealthy few. We can change that. The Accelerator Campaign is helping us rally resources to move our Chicago sports-based SEL movement forward.
Invest in quality coaches
Invest in quality coaches
Invest in quality coaches
Invest in quality coaches
Invest in quality coaches
Enlist support from diverse networks of families, schools, and community members
Enlist support from diverse networks of families, schools, and community members
Enlist support from diverse networks of families, schools, and community members
Develop social-emotional learning through play
Develop social-emotional learning through play
Develop social-emotional learning through play
Use our network to help students build social capital
Use our network to help students build social capital
Use our network to help students build social capital
Our Mission & Goal
This Is Not an Everyday Campaign
This campaign was inspired by a need for more play-based SEL services in our city. That need is urgent, and UI is uniquely positioned for this moment. We have the experience and an execution edge, leadership, and connections to drive a citywide movement.
That’s why we’re raising $10 million and scaling to serve 100,000 students each year as the campaign progresses.
Investments we receive today get put to work tomorrow, enabling us to connect more youth to caring adults, train community ambassadors to foster safe spaces, form new partnerships, and reach more young people. We’re already seeing impact as we begin to scale.
Expand Presence
An expanded presence across the city to reach 100,000 students (one-third of CPS students, or approximately 50% of 1st–8th graders).
Scale Impact
Vertical scaling in neighborhoods where UI already has a presence, with deepened impact in the communities that need us most.
Increase Awareness
Operationalizing increased awareness of and investment in the power of SEL by district leaders and community organizations.
Create Opportunities
Foster school improvement by providing leaders and educators with SEL-focused professional development opportunities and innovative strategies.
What Does Our $10M Accelerator Campaign Fund?
Your gift will allow us to sustain our work and make an even greater impact on kids in need. All donations to Urban Initiatives are tax-deductible.
Service
Scales UI’s reach quickly and sustainably
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Organizing
Provokes action to change the system
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Technology
Develops UI’s operational strength
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Why Do This
Our Investments in Our People and Our Talent Pipeline Matter
Our $7M service priority is directly fueling UI’s ability to grow our student programs and deepen our impact in response to citywide and neighborhood-specific needs. This is an intentional investment in our human capital and our operating edge. It’s what’s driven our success over the last two decades, and it is what will propel our exponential growth forward.
A Dramatic Increase in the Number of UI Students Served
Donate Today
Will You Join Us?
We invite you to join us during this transformational Accelerator Campaign. Your support will help us grow to reach 100,000+ Chicago students each and every year.
Together, let’s accelerate this work to meet the needs of Chicago’s youth, today and tomorrow.